*4.1.1 Terai*

Terai goats are found in the Terai region and inner valleys (tropical and subtropical climate) of the country and are reared as the meat-type animals [9]. They have been characterized at phenotypic, chromosomal, and mitochondrial levels [4, 12, 15]. They are heavily crossed with Indian breeds including Jamnapari, Barbari, Ajmeri/ Sirohi, and Beetal; and thus population of pure Terai goats is at risk from the conservation point of view. This breed constitutes 27% [16] or less than that of the total goat

**61**

*4.1.2 Khari*

*Source: [12, 13].*

**Table 3.**

Khari/ Hill

(see **Table 4**).

*4.1.3 Sinhal*

a conservation point of view.

*Breeds and Breeding System of Indigenous and Crossbred Goats in Nepal*

**Breeds Positive attributes Distribution Status Characterization**

Across the Terai

Across the midhills

Across the high hills

Across the Himalayas

Population declining

Population declining

Population declining

Population declining

Phenotypic + chromosomal + mtDNA

Phenotypic + chromosomal + mtDNA

Phenotypic + mtDNA

Phenotypic + mtDNA

population of the country. Body color of Terai goats varies from pure white to pure black with mixed patches of different colors. Its compact body weight is around 30 kg with 60 cm body length, 65 cm chest girth, and 58 cm wither height. Body weight

Khari goats (hill goats) are the principal goat breed and are found across the hills and midhills from east to west of the country. They are prolific with higher twinning ability and shorter kidding interval and good for meat purpose. They are hardy and well adapted to local environments and represent more than 50% of the total goat population in the country [16, 17]. They have been characterized at phenotypic, chromosomal, and mitochondrial DNA levels [12, 18]. They are normal from

Khari goats have great variation in coat color from white to black. It has been reported that there are six sub-types within Khari goats based on coat color. They are Seti (pure white), Kali (pure black), Khairi (brown), Ghorli (brown with white and other color patches), Singari (black with white stripes on face), and Dhobini (ash color) [19]. Dhobini sub-type is bigger in size than the other five sub-types, weighing around 30 kg, with 63, 65, and 56 cm length, chest girth, and wither height, respectively. Khari goats from different clusters of eastern, western, and midwestern regions of Nepal show that the Khari goats' body size are heavier in midwestern (Salyan and Surkhet) from those found in western and eastern regions

Sinhal goats are the heaviest native goat breed and represent 16% of the total goat population [16] and are the predominant breeds of high hills in Nepal. They are good for meat production and transportation as pack animals under transhumance system provided with low-input management system. They are large-sized hardy and well-adapted animals to local harsh conditions. They have been characterized at phenotypic and mitochondrial levels. The farmers are conserving them in situ, but an increased focus is needed on better management practices on breeding, feeding,

housing, and health. They are at risk from conservation point of view.

varies from 30 to 35 kg for male and 25–30 kg for female.

*Positive attributes, distribution, and population status of Nepalese goats.*

*DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.82821*

Principal breed, suitable for hills, hardy, prolific,

hills, pack animal, large

transhumance system, multipurpose (meat, pack,

and pashmina)

Terai Hardy, good size, suitable for Terai

meat animal

Sinhal Hardy, suitable for high

size

Chyangra Hardy, suitable for


*Breeds and Breeding System of Indigenous and Crossbred Goats in Nepal DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.82821*

### **Table 3.**

*Source: [12, 13].*

*Goats (Capra) - From Ancient to Modern*

**4. Diversity of goat genetic resources in Nepal**

from an altitude of 2500–5000 masl from east to west.

*Indigenous goat breeds of Nepal (photo courtesy: Animal Breeding Division, NARC).*

*4.1.1 Terai*

In Nepal, four indigenous breeds of goat have been identified and characterized. These breeds are distributed across various ecological domains of the country. They include Chyangra, Sinhal, Khari, and Terai [8–12] (see **Figure 1**). Characterization of these breeds is done based on morphological traits and mitochondrial DNA study (**Table 3**). Terai goats are predominantly found across southern plains and inner Terai (100–500 masl) from east to west of the country. Khari goats, also known as hill goat, are the principal goat breed found across the mid-hill region of Nepal at an altitude of 500–1500 masl. Kuwar [14] reported three distinct strains (small, medium, and large) existed among Khari population. Sinhal goats are abundantly available in high hills and mountain regions from 1500 to 2400 masl, whereas Chyangra goats are the dominant breeds across northern trans-Himalayan regions

Terai goats are found in the Terai region and inner valleys (tropical and subtropical climate) of the country and are reared as the meat-type animals [9]. They have been characterized at phenotypic, chromosomal, and mitochondrial levels [4, 12, 15]. They are heavily crossed with Indian breeds including Jamnapari, Barbari, Ajmeri/ Sirohi, and Beetal; and thus population of pure Terai goats is at risk from the conservation point of view. This breed constitutes 27% [16] or less than that of the total goat

**4.1 Existing indigenous genetic resources**

**60**

**Figure 1.**

*Positive attributes, distribution, and population status of Nepalese goats.*

multipurpose (meat, pack,

and pashmina)

population of the country. Body color of Terai goats varies from pure white to pure black with mixed patches of different colors. Its compact body weight is around 30 kg with 60 cm body length, 65 cm chest girth, and 58 cm wither height. Body weight varies from 30 to 35 kg for male and 25–30 kg for female.

### *4.1.2 Khari*

Khari goats (hill goats) are the principal goat breed and are found across the hills and midhills from east to west of the country. They are prolific with higher twinning ability and shorter kidding interval and good for meat purpose. They are hardy and well adapted to local environments and represent more than 50% of the total goat population in the country [16, 17]. They have been characterized at phenotypic, chromosomal, and mitochondrial DNA levels [12, 18]. They are normal from a conservation point of view.

Khari goats have great variation in coat color from white to black. It has been reported that there are six sub-types within Khari goats based on coat color. They are Seti (pure white), Kali (pure black), Khairi (brown), Ghorli (brown with white and other color patches), Singari (black with white stripes on face), and Dhobini (ash color) [19]. Dhobini sub-type is bigger in size than the other five sub-types, weighing around 30 kg, with 63, 65, and 56 cm length, chest girth, and wither height, respectively. Khari goats from different clusters of eastern, western, and midwestern regions of Nepal show that the Khari goats' body size are heavier in midwestern (Salyan and Surkhet) from those found in western and eastern regions (see **Table 4**).

### *4.1.3 Sinhal*

Sinhal goats are the heaviest native goat breed and represent 16% of the total goat population [16] and are the predominant breeds of high hills in Nepal. They are good for meat production and transportation as pack animals under transhumance system provided with low-input management system. They are large-sized hardy and well-adapted animals to local harsh conditions. They have been characterized at phenotypic and mitochondrial levels. The farmers are conserving them in situ, but an increased focus is needed on better management practices on breeding, feeding, housing, and health. They are at risk from conservation point of view.


*Note: Number in parenthesis indicates the number of observations. Cluster A, goats from midwestern region (Salyan and Surkhet); Cluster B, goats from west (Lumle and Bandipur); and Cluster C, goats from east (Sindhuli and Pakhribas) of Nepal. Means with different superscripts differ significantly. Source: [14].*

### **Table 4.**

*Khari goats from different clusters of eastern, western, and midwestern regions of Nepal.*

Sinhal varies in its coat color from black to white, where gray, black, and white mixed are the common coat colors of this breed. Average adult body weight of Sinhal is reported as 35 kg for male and 29 kg for doe, with 69 cm body length, 78 cm heart girth, and 59 cm wither height on an average.

### *4.1.4 Chyangra*

Chyangra goats are the mountain goat originating from Tibet reared in trans-Himalayan region along with Bhyanglung, a type of sheep in high mountain and trans-Himal region 2500 meters above sea level. They have been reared in situ condition by farmers themselves. They are suitable for meat and pack and are popular for high value as well as fine quality called *Chyangra* fiber known as *Pashmina* [20]. Their population is declining and hence needs attention. They have been characterized at phenotypic and mitochondrial levels. Chyangra fiber has high market potentials, as they have unique blend and qualities and hence are popular within and outside the country. Chyangra population is estimated to be around 1% of the total goat population, i.e., 0.11 million heads in Nepal [6]. Body color varies from pure white to pure black with mixed patch of different colors. Its compact body weighs around 30 kg with body length of 62 cm and chest girth of 71 cm. Wither height is 62 cm. Body weight varies from 29 to 32 kg for females and 35–40 kg for males. The morphological variation of four indigenous breeds of goats in Nepal is presented hereunder (see **Table 5**).

Owing to the remoteness, harsh climatic condition and transhumance system of management Chyangra goat are not getting due consideration from public and private institutions. Thus, productivity and population of this breed is dwindling rapidly. The goat is used for meat and for pack purpose in mountain terrace where road facilities are seldom. The breed is also used for production of precious *pashmina* (Chyangra cashmere). Besides their incomparable contribution in mountain farming system, the breed has not been understood completely in the sense of their quantitative and qualitative attributes. Limited information are available on morphological characteristics and growth traits. The breed is not fully utilized for its Chyangra cashmere production, and this is an area of importance where focus is required [25].

### *4.1.5 Chitwan local goats*

Apart from above indigenous breeds, there are niche specific breed studied at inner Terai region, that is, Chitwan District of Nepal, referred to as Chitwan local

**63**

*4.2.1 Jamnapari*

*Source: [16, 21–24].*

**Table 5.**

*Breeds and Breeding System of Indigenous and Crossbred Goats in Nepal*

Height at hip bone 60.8 ± 0.73 51.5 ± 1.76 M: 51.7 ± 1.27

**Parameters Terai Khari Sinhal Chyangra** Body length 60.6 ± 0.87 63.1 ± 0.39 68.7 ± 0.44 62.3 ± 0.36 Heart girth 65.2 ± 0.44 65.5 ± 0.37 77.8 ± 0.44 71.3 ± 0.37 Height at wither 57.9 ± 0.32 55.9 ± 0.28 59.2 ± 1.06 62.4 ± 0.23

Head length 18.3 ± 0.25 15.5 ± 0.56 16 ± 0.4 15.1 ± 0.6 Tail length 13.4 ± 0.2 12.6 ± 0.3 12.0 ± 0.4 15.1 ± 0.6 Horn length 8.37 ± 0.2 11.5 ± 1.3 15.3 ± 0.84 18.2 ± 0.7 Ear length 18.7 ± 0.30 16.2 ± 0.4 14.5 ± 0.5 10.5 ± 0.4 Neck length 25.7 ± 0.45 20.5 ± 0.56 20.7 ± 0.76 20.2 ± 0.7 Loin girth 74.1 ± 0.65 72.8 ± 0.53 73.5 ± 1.19 70.3 ± 0.43 Barrel girth 84.7 ± 5.8 86.7 ± 3.3 53.2 ± 4.7 75.3 ± 1.4 Fore legs above knee 19 ± 0.52 17.8 ± 0.47 18.7 ± 0.49 16.1 ± 0.51 Fore legs below knee 16.2 ± 0.3 16 ± 0.57 16.3 ± 0.33 15.2 ± 0.65 Rear legs above knee 23.2 ± 0.61 22 ± 0.58 23.2 ± 0.65 18.3 ± 0.54 Rear legs below knee 22.6 ± 0.49 19.8 ± 0.4 21.2 ± 0.3 17.8 ± 0.45

F: 53.3 ± 0.72

F: 34.8 ± 0.12 M: 28–42

M: 60.8 ± 0.78 F: 58.7 ± 0.85

F: 29.1 ± 0.69 M: 35–40

 *standard errors).*

*±*

goats. Very limited information is available about this breed to date. These breeds have a medium-sized body having heavier body weight than Khari and Terai goat breeds with dominant white color with distribution of brown, black, and mixed color. It has been reported that the age at first conception, age at first kidding, gestation length, kidding interval, and postpartum estrus were 211, 356, 147, 236, and 87 days, respectively, for adult does of Chitwan local goats. The adult does of Chitwan local (31.1 kg) were significantly heavier (p < 0.001) than that of Terai goat (25.9 kg) and Khari goats (23.5 kg). It had been observed that the mean birth, weaning, and postweaning (8 months) weight for these breeds of goats were 2.48, 13.22, and 17.64 kg, respectively. Apart from above findings, it is also reported that the mean litter size at birth were 2.0, 1.53, and 1.48 kids per doe and at weaning were 1.94, 1.49, and 1.28 kids per

F: 24.1 ± 0.34 M: 28–40

Jamnapari is a breed of goat originating from the Indian subcontinent. It is a dual-purpose breed kept for both milk and meat. Jamnapari goats were mainly introduced in Nepal to upgrade and improve body weight of local Khari and Terai goats. Adult Jamunapari goat has a body weight of 45 kg for bucks and 38 kg for does along with wither height between 75 and 78 cm, body lengths of 75–77 cm, and heart girth of 76–79.5 cm (**Table 6**). Yearling weight of these goats in research stations was about 21 kg. The average age at first kidding and kidding interval in

doe for Chitwan local, Terai, and Khari goats, respectively [26, 27].

**4.2 Popular exotic breeds of goats in Nepal**

Adult body weight (kg) F: 23.3 ± 0.1

M: 30–35

*Comparative morphometric measurements of indigenous breeds of goat (values are means in cm* 

Jamnapari goats is 770 and 428 days, respectively.

*DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.82821*

